November 28 Energy News

November 28, 2018

World:

¶ “Zambia Targets 200 MW of Solar Power to Reduce Hydro Dependency” • Zambia is seeking proposals from potential developers of solar power projects with a combined 200 MW capacity as it tries to diversify its energy mix away from hydroelectric power. The 200 MW is to be split into projects of less than 20 MW. [ETEnergyworld.com]

Solar system

¶ “Another Coal Myth Busted as Developing Nations Turn to Renewables” • A study put an end to the myth that the world’s developing nation’s are maintaining a dependence on coal. It showed that emerging economies are the renewable energy investment and development leaders and have reduced their new coal plant builds by nearly half. [Daddyhood]

Australia:

¶ “Sydney Storms: Hundreds Call for Help amid Flash-Flooding” • Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, had its average monthly rainfall within just two hours, meteorologists said. More than 500 people called for emergency assistance after the storm it the city and nearby regions, causing floods, power cuts, and flight delays. [BBC]

Flood (Reuters image)

¶ “Queensland Bushfires: Thousands Told to Flee ‘Catastrophic’ Threat” • More than 130 bushfires are burning in Queensland, fuelled by strong winds, a heat wave and dry vegetation. The state has raised its fire danger warning to “catastrophic,” the highest level, for the first time ever, and told thousands of people to evacuate. [BBC]

¶ “Australia Adds 351.8 MW of Small-Scale Renewables in Q3” • Australia has put on stream 351.8 MW of small-scale renewable energy capacity in the third quarter of 2018, with solar PV plants being on top of the list. Australia now has 3.1 million small-scale renewable power plants, with a cumulative capacity of 7.59 GW, government data show. [Renewables Now]

Solar array (Photo: h080)

France:

¶ “France Announces Cuts to Nuclear and Coal, Boost for Wind and Solar” • In a speech on ecology and energy, French President Macron promised support for renewable energy capacity additions. He made a promise to triple the amount of onshore wind by 2030 and to increase the country’s solar PV capacity by a factor of five. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “French Renewable Energy: €600 Million for Solar Innovation” • As President Macron makes a push for French renewable energy advances, the European Commission has approved €600 million to support solar power innovation in France. The funding will support innovative solar installations with capacities from 5 kW to 100 kW. [Government Europa]

Small solar array (iStock image)

¶ “France’s Macron Tries to Ease Popular Anger over Gas Prices” • French President Emmanuel Macron tried to defuse protests over rising fuel taxes by explaining in his speech what his plans were to wean the country off fossil fuels and promising to shift out of cheap nuclear energy more slowly. But the protests are expected to continue. [Yahoo News]

¶ “France Takes the Lead as Top G20 Market for Renewable Energy Investments” • For the third year, Allianz, Germanwatch and NewClimate Institute examined the investment climate and investments made for renewable energy in all G20 countries. France climbed two positions to the top, while Germany dropped to second place and the UK to third. [WebWire]

Wind farm

US:

¶ “Trump Administration Climate Change Report is Dead Wrong, Says Trump Administration” • After reading “some” of the National Climate Assessment Report, Trump said “I don’t believe it.” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders explained that it is “not based on facts,” adding, “We’d like to see something that is more data-driven.” [CNN]

¶ “California’s Community has Chosen 2 GW of Renewables” • Community choice aggregators in California have now signed over 2 GW of power purchase agreements for renewable energy projects. Of the 59 projects, 43 of them were solar power facilities totalling 1,360 MW and ranging in size from 60 kW through 200 MW. [pv magazine USA]

Solar installation (Swinerton Renewable Energy)

¶ “General Motors is Cutting 14,000 Jobs and Focusing on Self-Driving and Electric Vehicles” • GM is shuttering plants, but this is a step toward a new corporate focus on producing electric and autonomous vehicles. Its new motto is “Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, Zero Congestion,” as it increases spending on new-technology vehicle programs. [Vox]

¶ “World’s Largest Pork Company to Convert Pig Manure into Renewable Natural Gas” • Smithfield Foods and Dominion Energy announced a joint venture partnership to trap methane from hog waste and convert it into power for heating homes and generating electricity. The gas will be sent to processing centers and converted into natural gas. [ETEnergyworld.com]

Natural gas worker (Getty Images)

¶ “New Jersey Hits Milestone for Installation of Solar Energy Projects” • New Jersey hit a milestone when the number of solar installations in the state hit 100,000. The growth of solar capacity has largely been due to a combination of net metering, a solar renewable portfolio standard, and a solar renewable energy credit market. [Daily Energy Insider]

¶ “Senate Panel Votes to Advance McNamee to US FERC Despite Renewables Comments” • The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance the nomination of Bernard McNamee to the fifth slot at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, despite statements he had made last winter about renewable energy. [S&P Global Platts]

And Please Don’t forget about the VECAN Conference:

Solar Power at Scott Farm, Dummerston, Wikimedia Commons

One morning workshop addresses smart growth for land use as a cornerstone for decarbonizing our communities. At the center of climate friendly communities is the integration of good land use policies, the creation of transportation choices, the consideration of location efficiency and, importantly, housing, including affordable housing. [Green Energy Times]